State legislations and aviation user taxes

MAINE – With a new majority in place, the Maine Senate will take up a bipartisan effort to repeal the notorious aircraft use tax that can slap out-of-state owners of new aircraft with bills for up to 5 percent of the aircraft’s value.

SOUTH CAROLINA – A yearlong review of South Carolina’s tax structure found that the state levies comparatively low taxes but faces “structural deficiencies” that could threaten its ability to raise stable revenue in the future. The report by the South Carolina Tax Realignment Commission, released Dec. 7, said that “property taxes on private passenger airplanes are amongst the highest in the nation,” and recommended that lawmakers “consider lowering the Assessment Ratio on private passenger aircraft.”

AOPA is studying the report’s recommendations and will review legislative initiatives resulting from it.